 | The Swanage Railway Trust relies on donations to provide the finance for a wide variety of projects around the railway. However, specific appeals are occasionally launched for major, long-term or special projects. This page outlines the current appeals and includes buttons to enable an immediate donation to be made by credit or debit card. The Swanage Railway Trust (SRT) is the registered charity (number 1087318) that controls the Swanage Railway via its trading subsidiary, the Swanage Railway Company (SRC).
| | | Sygnets B Van Appeal |  | One of the biggest challenges facing preservation today is how to bring forward the preservationists of tomorrow to enthuse them about a world that disappeared long before they were born and to transfer skills to them before they are lost forever. The Swanage Railway is fortunate in having a strong youth group, known as the Sygnets, with a proven record of delivering committed young volunteers to most if not all departments across the line after they reach 16. However, they really need a base to provide a focus for their activities and team-building as well as provide storage and display space for training purposes. The Railway was fortunate to obtain a Southern Railway B Van from the former Pullman works at Preston Park near Brighton and this will provide a permanent base for the group. This is ideal for them as it provides both space and light via droplights in each of the doors. However, before it can be fitted out for them – by them – it needs extensive bodywork repairs. Preparatory work on the van has already started at Swanage but most of the work will need to be completed off-site. This restoration is expected to cost around £16,000 and we are therefore appealing to those who share our commitment to supporting our young people to help us raise this sum. | | | Project Wareham Appeal |  | The Swanage Branch is now reconnected to the national network at Wareham and a small number of charter services have run from London. However, much work remains to be done before regular services can use this connection, not least upgrading the infrastructure on the section of the branch that has not been used for regular passenger services for nearly 40 years. The Project Wareham appeal is to raise funds for a range of projects related to restoring regular services to Wareham. The remaining work includes: - Norden level crossing
- Norden - boundary upgrade
- Branch stub survey
- Branch stub upgrade
- DCC 117 DMU refurbishment
- Furzebrook development
- Signalling interface plan
| | | Heritage Coach Fund |  Photo: Andy Vincent | The Swanage Railway owns and is custodian to one of country's most important collections of former Southern Railway coaches. This collection has been carefully assembled to represent the types of coaches that served the Branch and includes a number of vehicles that regularly visited Swanage. The restoration of Bulleid Semi-Open Brake Third coach 4365 is now nearing completion having returned from heavy overhaul for the interior to be refitted at Swanage. This coach was built in 1948 specifically for services on the Bournemouth line. Bulleid Corridor Composite 5761 has now been sent for a heavy overhaul prior to a light overhaul of the interior. We are seeking additional funds to enable us to complete this restoration as well as provide seed funding for the next project. The Heritage Coach Fund has been set up to receive both lump sum and regular payments. Even a couple of pounds a month can make a big difference. Please use the button below to make a one off payment or contact us if you wish to make a regular payment. | | | Railway Development Fund | | | The Swanage Railway continually undertakes a wide variety of smaller projects that are vital to maintaining and improving the Railway for visitors and volunteers alike. These projects are funded out of the Swanage Railway Trust's general funds rather than by specific appeals. The button below enables an immediate donation to be made to help fund these vital projects. | | | Previous Appeals | | | The following appeals are still open and further donations are very welcome. |  Photo: PA | Churchill Funeral Train Appeal: This Southern Railway van was preserved in California after being used to carry Sir Winston Churchill's body to his funeral on 30th January 1965. It was eventually declared surplus to requirements by owners, the Los Angeles City of Industry and donated to the Swanage Railway. Restoration has now commenced but the appeal remains open for donations to cover the development of display material, the restoration of the interior and ongoing maintenance costs. Pictures of van in California and subsequent repatriation can be found here. |  | Mobility Impaired Visitor Facilities Appeal: Nearly twenty years ago the Swanage Railway converted a coach to provide facilities for mobility impaired visitors. This coach includes a large open area for wheelchairs, wide access doors and a suitably converted toilet. A visitor's account from 1991 of a journey in this coach including pictures of the facilities can be seen on the main Swanage Railway site at http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/news13.htm This vehicle has now returned to Swanage following a major overhaul and internal refurbishment costing around £45,000. This appeal though remains open as we continue to seek funds to pay for the remainder of the overhaul and for future maintenance. |  Photo: Michael Taylor | Devon Belle: this vehicle has now been returned to the UK, initial restoration has been completed and the vehicle overhauled for use at Swanage. A second stage will be undertaken to complete the restoration of the bar area when funds allow. | | | Gift Aid |  | Donations to the Swanage Railway Trust by UK taxpayers qualify for relief under the Gift Aid scheme. This scheme enables the SRT to recover an additional 28% of the value of qualifying donations without cost to the donor. Higher rate taxpayers can also benefit personally by claiming a further rebate via their tax return. We would encourage all donors to help us maximise the value of donations by completing the simple Gift Aid form that is displayed after you have made your donation.
| | | Use of Funds Statement | | | It is intended that the funds raised through these appeals will be used to further the stated objectives of each appeal. Should circumstances dictate that the Swanage Railway Trust is unable to pursue the relevant project then the funds raised will be used to further the general aims of the Swanage Railway Trust and will be allocated at the discretion of the Council of Management. The Swanage Railway Trust is a Registered Charity No. 1087318 |
| | | | Quick LinksSwanage Railway Trust Latest News Appeals & Fundraising Members & Volunteers In This SectionPayPalDonations are processed by PayPal on behalf of the Swanage Railway Trust. You do not need to have or create a PayPal account and there is no additional charge for this service. ContactsSwanage Railway Trust,
Station House,
Swanage,
Dorset,
BH19 1HB Phone/fax: 01929-425800 extn 34 Email: fundraising |
